Sam Hilliard woke up determined Friday morning to end a miserable 0-for-18 slump.
It started with changing his own reflection. Literally.
“I looked at myself in the mirror,” Hilliard recalled. “And I said: ‘This beard has no hits.’”
A clean shave worked wonders for the struggling 28-year-old Rockies outfielder. Hilliard went 2 for 4 with a walk against the Royals — including his first homer of the season — for a fresh start that matched his new look.
“That was a good swing for Sam. Anytime you get your first home run, I think players exhale,” manager Bud Black said following Colorado’s 14-10 home loss to Kansas City.